(Phnom Penh): Lieutenant General Maly Socheata, Spokesperson for the Ministry of National Defence, affirmed that the actions of Cambodian citizens who protested against the illegal installation of barbed wire by Thai military forces in Chouk Chey Village, Ou Beichoan Commune, Ou Chrov District, Banteay Meanchey Province, stemmed solely from their determination to defend national land and safeguard their legitimate property rights.

On 25 August 2025, at 2:20 p.m., Thai soldiers entered Chouk Chey Village, opposite Nong Chan Village, Khok Sung District, Sa Kaeo Province, Thailand, to place barbed wire. At 3:14 p.m., the Thai soldiers made a second attempt; however, Cambodian landowners and local villagers strongly resisted, compelling the Thai troops to withdraw and remove the barbed wire.

Maly Socheata spoke on Tuesday (Aug. 26) during a press briefing on the implementation of the Cambodia-Thailand ceasefire.

“From the night of 25 August until the morning of 26 August, Cambodian landowners and other villagers united to respond and express concern over the encroachment by Thai soldiers, with the sole objective of protecting what they believe to be their legitimate property, driven by the spirit of patriotism and love for their homeland,” the spokesperson underscored.

She further noted that Cambodian forces and local authorities, who were unarmed and stationed in the area, were also present to safeguard the people, carrying out their duties with professionalism and responsibility.

Meanwhile, Cambodia’s forces have strictly adhered to the terms of the ceasefire agreed upon during the Special Meeting between the prime minister of Cambodia and the acting prime minister of Thailand on 28 July 2025 and the Extraordinary Cambodia-Thailand General Border Committee (GBC) Meeting on 7 August 2025 in Malaysia. Cambodia continues to resolve disputes through peaceful means while avoiding renewed military clashes or tensions.

In this regard, Cambodia urges the Thai side to fully respect the ceasefire and, in particular, uphold the spirit of the Extraordinary Regional Border Committee (RBC) Meeting between Cambodia’s Military Region 5 and Thailand’s Army Region 1 held recently on 22 August 2025.
=FRESH NEWS